Confirming the relationship in Heat magazine this week, Katie said:
'We've been friends for years. He's like a young Jimi Hendrix. He's so
rock and roll.

'It's early days, but I like him. He's so handsome and has such a big heart.'

And it seems Katie's attempt to distract herself worked well, as she
appeared to be in a happy mood this morning, writing on her Twitter
page: 'Ah sod it!! So what, who cares!!! ;) Have a smashing day and sod the rain!!dance in it!! Enjoy xx'

Katie and Callanan, who describes himself as a 'Musician/Writer' on
his Twitter page, have been spotted together frequently over the past
week.

Taking her mind off things: Katie appeared more relaxed as she tried to distract herself from the controversy currently surrounding the show

'A young Jimi Hendrix': Katie is thrilled with her new 'rock and roll' boyfriend

Things are going so well for the new couple that Callanan has
even made the trip to support Katie as she performed on X Factor.

He wrote on his Twitter page last month: 'I went to the X factor
studio's on Saturday....... it was like some weird Alice in Wonderland
world...But yep Katie smashed it.....!!'

Poll

Who do you want to see go more on Sunday night's X Factor?

Katie Waissel - it's definitely her time to go

Wagner Carrilho - the novelty act is no longer funny

Who do you want to see go more on Sunday night's X Factor?

Katie Waissel - it's definitely her time to go13691 votes

Wagner Carrilho - the novelty act is no longer funny10494 votes

Now share your opinion

However, while Katie might be doing her best to distract herself from the furore surrounding the show, fans are doing the exact oppposite, with many threatening to boycott the programme this weekend.

Former receptionist Katie ended up in the bottom two on Sunday's results
show and managed to remain in the competition after her mentor Cheryl Cole controversially abstained from voting.

And, in
a bid to prove she doesn't take herself too seriously, Katie is
planning to sing The Bitch Is Back as part of 'Elton John Week' on
Saturday's show.

A friend told the Daily Mirror: 'The track shows she is up for a laugh and can see she isn’t universally
liked. It will be a bit tongue in cheek. She knows she can’t be
everyone’s cup of tea but wants to get across a jokey element.'

Before meeting Callanan for an afternoon shopping trip, Katie
yesterday caught up with her mother Diana in west London before heading
over to rehearsals in Covent Garden.

Keep me in! Katie, pictured heading to rehearsals yesterday wearing a TruffleShuffle.com I Love The 80s T-shirt, will sing Elton John's The Bitch Is Back on Saturday

Ms Popular: Katie is surrounding by fans and photographers as she arrives for rehearsals

And Katie's older sister Natalie, 27, hit out at internet bullies for creating the campaign to get her voted off X Factor.

She told the Evening Standard: 'As an artist she is going to have people who like her and people who don't like her.

'All
this Facebook and Twitter bullying that has been going on - it's all
done anonymously. People are a lot meaner when they can hide behind
anonymity.'

Out and about: Katie and 'new best friend' Cher were seen out in London today

However, outraged fans of the show have threatened to abstain from
voting themselves, claiming Cole's decision to opt out made a mockery
of the public votes - which generate huge revenue for the show.

Thousands
of MailOnline readers have complained about her refusal to vote over
the past few days, with many demanding Mrs Cole is axed as a judge.